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Sex Differences in Comorbidity and Frailty in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Sören Möller

    (OPEN – Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital
    University of Southern Denmark)

  • Mikael Thinggaard

    (University of Southern Denmark
    University of Southern Denmark)

  • Kaare Christensen

    (University of Southern Denmark
    University of Southern Denmark
    Odense University Hospital
    Odense University Hospital)

  • Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen

    (University of Southern Denmark)

Abstract

Objectives To examine sex differences in prevalent comorbidity and frailty across age and European regions. Methods This is a cross-sectional study based on 113,299 Europeans aged 50+ participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe from 2004–2005 to 2015. Sex differences in the Comorbidity Index and the Frailty Phenotype were investigated using ordinal logistic regressions. Results European women had generally higher odds of prevalent comorbidity (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.15) and frailty (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.51–1.62). Sex differences increased with advancing age. No overall sex difference in comorbidity was found in Western Europe, but women had more comorbidity than men in Eastern (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18–1.44), Southern (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15–1.30), and Northern (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.16) Europe. Women were frailer than men in all regions, with the largest sex difference in Southern Europe (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.72–1.96). Conclusions European women are frailer and have slightly more comorbidity than European men lending support for the male–female health survival paradox.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt & Sören Möller & Mikael Thinggaard & Kaare Christensen & Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen, 2019. "Sex Differences in Comorbidity and Frailty in Europe," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(7), pages 1025-1036, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:64:y:2019:i:7:d:10.1007_s00038-019-01270-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01270-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chia-Hui Wang & Wen-Pei Chang & Su-Ru Chen & Wan-Ju Cheng & Kuei-Ru Chou & Li-Chung Pien, 2022. "Health Literacy and Exercise to Treat Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A National Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt & Sören Möller, 2021. "The Reciprocal Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Health and the Influence of Sex: A European SHARE-Analysis Based on Structural Equation Modeling," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Alina Schmitz & Patrick Lazarevič, 2020. "The gender health gap in Europe’s ageing societies: universal findings across countries and age groups?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 509-520, December.
    4. Grzegorz K. Jakubiak & Natalia Pawlas & Grzegorz Cieślar & Agata Stanek, 2020. "Chronic Lower Extremity Ischemia and Its Association with the Frailty Syndrome in Patients with Diabetes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-17, December.

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